Internal-combustion engine



W. P. DEPPE. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. 'APPLICATION men AUG-3, 1911! Patent d Mar. 30, 1920.

UNITED STAT WILLIAM P. :onrrn, on BA? snonn, NEW YORK. v

onrion.

' INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM P. DEPPli, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Bay Shore, county of Suffolk, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following isa specification.

My invention relates more particularly to a method of preparing a superheated dry gas for use in internfl combustion engines or in combustion chambers of any suitable character wherein gas of this character is adapted to be used The object of the pres ent invention is to prepare a fuel mixture gas from liquid hydro-carbons mixed with air preferably at high temperature and thoroughly integrated to produce asubstantially stable gas which upon introduction into the cylinders of an internal combustion engine,

will remain in gaseous form.

.In this respect the product of 'my im-' proved method differs from that produced by the wet mixture method at present very largely used in connection with internal combustion engines. \Vith the latter method, the liquid spray is carried along with the air (in most cases not pre-heated) through the manifold to the cylinders of the engine, the particles being liquid or only partially vaporized at the time they are introduced into the cylinder. 'A charge of this kind when drawn into the cylinder is very likely to deposit a large portion of the liquid fuel and vapor particularly on the intake stroke. Hence when the charge is ignited by the passage of the electric spark,

only that portion of the charge which is in gaseous or semi-gaseous form will instantly explode, while the liquid particles which have collected on the head of the piston will be vaporized or partially'vaporized by the heat'of the explosion and burned-after the first explosion and while the piston is on its downward stroke. This slow burning of the fuel mixture inthe cylinders of an engine not only results in a loss of power and efliciency, but adds largely to the production of carbon deposits on the piston head and in the cylinder. It is-also detrimental because the excessive .heat produced at the wrong time in the stroke has a tendency to burn or Carbonize the lubricating oil, over-.

heat the metal walls. and therefore increase the wear between the piston and cylinder, thereby tcndingto'ward an excessive use of Specification of Letters Patent.

lubricant, loss of compression and dilution -'of'lubricating oils with liquid fuel oils.

To obviate these difliculties, I have evolved a method whereby highly heated air is charged with the proper amount ofvapor or spray of the liquid hydro-carbons and then the column of fuel mixtures is subjected to a sort of kneading process and intermittently and repeatedlyheated until by the time. it reaches the engine cylinders, the .rinixture has been developed and integrated into the cylinders.

'It is well known that if a gas. is com pressed, the temperature of the gas is raised, while if the gas is permitted to expand, it will take up heat from surrounding bodies Patented Mar. 3@, 1920.

Application filed August 3, 1917. Serial No. 184,302.

or its temperature will fall. If a gas of this character is near the saturation point, liquid particles will be deposited when slightly cooled. lVhen a gaseous mixture is produced by my method, it is so perfectly integrated and superheated to such an extent, that upon introduction into the cylinder even though expanded in the process, it-re-' mains gaseous so that in the compression stroke it will behave as a perfect gasand become still more highly heated by compression. With gaseous mixtures produced by my method, it is therefore possible, to

work under higher temperatures and leaner mixtures without the danger of'preignition or slow flame spread after firing.

It is becoming more apparent from day to day, that the supply of mineral oils is not increasing anywhere near. in proportion to the increase in the use of internalcombustion engines. The endeavor also is to find substitutes or mixtures of fuel oils with mixtures of various grades of fuel oils, the

constituents of which have widely varying boiling points.

'other hydro-carbon liquids in order that there may be enough materials to supply the" In this effort to meet the The ordinary wet mixture methods cannot satisfactorily handle these-hybrid mixtures,-

nor low grade fuel oil mixturesto operate like true gasolenes, but my method is particularly devised for handling mixtures of this character. I have found that by my method the various constituentsof a mixadapted to alternately compel the column to expand and contract and change its form. At the same time, my method includes heating the mixture thoroughly throughout at the time it is permitted to spread out or expand.

It is. a well known physical fact that gases do not take up heat readily by conduction gasebus mixture is surrounded by a heating jacket. only that portion of the column in contact with the walls of the conduit will become heated. If, however, the column of gas is flattened, or the walls of the chamber or conduit brought very close together so as to form, as it were, a sheet of gas, then by heating the or gaseous mixture between the walls can be heated throughout to much higher temperature very quickly. I have taken advantage of this property in carrying out my method to assist in vaporizing and gasifying the liquid fuel spray carried along inthe column of hot air on its way to the cylinders of the engine or other combustion chamber.

It is also well known that streams of gas or vapor-charged gases, portions of which are of different densities or temperatures are likely to become Stratified and remain in this more completely atomize the condition unless physical means are used to I mix or integrate them and break up the floating drops or globules of liquid. fore, in carrying out my method, I prefer to churn the mixtures at one stage in order to and prevent Stratification. Thesucceeding stages in my method may be likened to, a kneading process because the fuel mixture is squeezed or contracted,preferably in cylindrical form, and then spread out into sheet form-and permitted to expand slightly, at the same time being heated. This treatment of the fuel mixture has the effect of completely mixture, the last stage of heating being adapted to superheat the gaseous mixture the constituent elements of'which have become gaseous, sufiiciently to maintain it as such until it is used in the cylinders of the engine or in other suitable combustion chamber. In carrying out my method, it is obviousthat various forms of apparatus may be utilized, and it will be understood that I. do not wish to be limited to any particular device or apparatus. As an example and to illustrate my method, I have in the accom-.

panying drawings shown forms vof apparatus suitable for carrying out my method for producing asuperheated dry gas for use in internal combustion engines or in combustion chambers of furnaces or the like.

hence if a cylindrical column of gas or highly flat walls of the conduit, the gas tank fronr which the T hereliquid particles.

gasifying and integrating the type, such for instane 2 Schl ayer Patent Xe.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a longitudinal section parallel with the sheeting sections of an apparatus adapted for carrying. out my method; Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal section .of a portion of the- -apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the section being transversely of the flattened portions; Fig. 3 represents an assembly View partially in section of an apparatus adapted I for use in connection with an internal combustion engine, and Fig. 4 IS a horlzontal section of one arm of the manifold shown in referring to the drawings, particularly to Figs. 1 and3 thereof, I have shown a carbureter substantially like that shown in my Patent No. 1,163,223, of December 7, 1915, but obviously any other suitable or preferred form of carbureter may be used to charge heated air with fuel spray. In this form of carbureter, 1 represents the floatthrough the channel 2 'tothe nozzles 3 and 4. The nozzle 3 is-preferably located central of a Venturi tube 5, the lower end 'of which opens into a primary-air passage 6 through the inlet end 7 of which highly heated air is adapted to be introduced from any suitable source. The secondary nozzle 4 is located to one side of'the Venturi passage 5 and projects into an auxiliary passage 8, the inlet this is well understood in the art.

fueloil is delivered The outlet from the carbureter mixingchamb'er is preferably venturishaped at 11,

a centrally opening throttle-valve 12 being located at the point of least cross-section. The upper end of the carbureter is provided with flanges at 13 by which it may be at Atached to the manifold in the usual manner.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, the carbureter is indicated as attached to a chain of fiattened conduits 1o1ned with circular conduits or Venturi tubes, the conduit being continuous and for clearness shown here as stralght.

Near the throttle and preferably in thelower end of the conduit 14, 1 insert a me.- chanical mixer 15 of any suitable rotating t t shown in the t October 24, nical mixer 1911. This form of l has the property 0 :azi breaking up the fuel paz'tn es c along in the highly heated air and atomi'liing them in such a way that they can be more highly heated and completely'gasified. 'This porsides.

Immediately following the sheeting section 16 of the conduit is a cirqular'portion 18 thereof, preferably shaped venturi-like, thereby being adapted to contract the column of fuel mixture at this pint. This portion ofthe conduit is preferably not surrounded by a heating jacket. After the fuel mixture passes the narrowest point of the Venturi tube 18, it expands slightly and enters a second flattened portion 19 which-is 3 adapted to again sheet the mixture. The sheeting section 19 is surrounded by a jacket .20 through which hot exhaust gases may be passed in orderto heat the sneeted mixture Preferably the temperature on both sides. vmaintained at this stage of heating-is higher than that maintained in the heating section 16.

' The outlet from the flattened portion 19 is into another Venturi tube 21 which like the Venturi section 18 of the conduit is preferably uncovered or not surrounded by a heating jacket. The Venturi tube 21 preferably conducts the column of fuel mixture into still another flattened portion 22, which-is surrounded by a heating jacket 23, through which hot exhaust gases are adapted to be passed in order to heat the sheeted mixture' on both sides. From the flattened portion22 of the conduit, the mixture column passes through a tubular portion 24 into the engine cylinder 25 or other combustion chamber with which the apparatus maybe connected.

The temperature maintained within the heating jacket 23 is preferably still higher than that maintained in the heating jacket 20. This variation in temperature from stage to stage may be brought about in any suitable way and for the purpose of illustration, I have shown an inlet pipe 26 in the upper jacket 23 through which the hot exhaust gases may be introduced first, at which time they are hottest. In passing through the jacket the exhaust gases will lose some of their heat and thereafter are preferably passed through a connecting tube 27 into the jacket 20, where they will be capable of heating the mixture" on both sides of the sheet, but to a temperai ure considerably lower than that produced 'inthe jacket 23; The hot exhaust gases from the jacket 20 are then preferably conducted by a tube or pipe 28 to the jacket 17 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as surrounding the flattened portion 16 and the churning section 14 hereinbefore referred to. By this means, the jacket 17 is heated to a still lower temperature than that maintained in the jacket 20. The exhaust gases from the jacket 17 are adapted to pass out through an outlet tube 29 and exhaust into the air or be conducted away in any suitable manner.

As previously pointed out, the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is to a certainextent illustrative in that the heating and sheeting sections alternating withVenturi' tubes, connected between the carbureter flanges 13 and the engine cylinder 25 is shown as a continuous single straight conduit. 2 representsalongitudinal section transversely of the flattened portions 16, 19, and 22 of the conduit portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. l between the flanges 13 and the engine cylinder or combustion cham ber'25.

It will be understood, however, that in ac tual practice, particularly in connection wit-h internal combustion engines of more than one cylinder a manifold, somethinglike that represented in Fig. 3 of the drawings is preferably employed. In this form of apparatus, adapted to carry out my method, the carbureter shown is the same as shown in Fig. 1 and corresponding parts are given the same characters for identification. In. this construction the carbureter at the flan ge 13 is connected with a manifold provided with a riser, the lower end. of which at 30 is surrounded by a jacket 31, the conduit at this point being adapted to contain a rotary mechanical mixer 15 of the type previously described in connection with Fig. 1. In this form of apparatus, the churning chamber 30 is followed by a Venturi tube section of the riser at 32. The upper end of the riser at 33 is flattened and connected with spreader arms 34: each of which preferably provided at 35 with a contracportion 37 which in turn is followed by a short cylindrical portion 38 leading off at right angles to the spreader arms and pro-" vided with flanges 39 adapting the arms to be connected to the inlet openings of the cylinders of the engine.

The flattened junction 33 between the riser and spreader arms is preferably surrounded by a jacket 1-0 adapted to be supplied with hot exhaust gases whereby the sheeted mixture as it passes this point is adapted to be heated on both sides. Similar or suitable jackets 41 inclose the flattened sections 37 near the outer ends of the respective spreader arms, these jackets being also supplied with suitable heating fluid or hot ex- I the jacket 31 by suitable connections between the pipe 44 and 45. After passing through the jacket 31, the exhaust gases pass out through a pipe 46. A pipe 47 connected with pipe 43 is adapted to conduct the ex- 'haust gases from the exhaust pipe into the pipe 43 and is adapted to be connected with the exhaust pipe of the engine in the usualv or any preferred manner. It will be llnde1 stood, however, that the arrangement for heating the sheeting sections of the conduit may be arranged in any suitable manner, so long as the necessary step by step differences of temperature are secured. The last heating temperature is preferably sufficiently high to superheat the gaseous mixture to such an extent that it will be maintained in dry gaseous form throughout the intake and compression strokes from the engine.

In carrying out my method, I wish it to be understood that I am not limited to the particular form of apparatus shown and described for obviously various modifications in-the arrangement and adaptation of appa ratus may be made for the purpose of satisfactorily carrying out my improved method without departing from the spirit and scope of my claims, and in some cases I the number and shape of the sheeting and round portions of the conduit may be varied..

' I claim:

' 1. The method of preparing an explosive mixture for combustion in heat and power units which consists in charging a moving -column of highly heated air with liquid fuel spray then contracting the column andincreasing the rate of flow of the mixture,.

then churning the mixture while applying heat to \further atomize the fuel particles, then kneading the mixture by alternately sheeting or flattening the column and restoring it to cylindrical form, heat being applied on both sides of the sheet at each sheeting stage at progressively increasing temperatures, whereby the mixture is converted into a homogeneous dry gas adaptedto re-. main as such during and after delivery to the heat or power unit.

2. The method of preparing an explosive mixture for combustion in heat and power units which consists in charging a moving column of highly heated air with liquid fuel spray, expanding the mixture stream then contracting the column and increasing the rate of flow of the mixture, then churning the mixture while applying heat to further atomize the fuel particles, then kneading the "mixture by alternately sheeting or flattening the column and restoring it to cy-' lindrical form, heat being applied on both sides of the sheet at each sheeting Stage at progressively increasing temperatures, whereby the mixture is converted into a homogeneous, dry gas, the final temperature of which is sufliciently high to maintain the mixture in a dry gaseous state during and after delivery to the heat or power unit.

3-. The method of preparing an explosive mixture for combustion in heat and power units, which consists in mixing atomized hydrocarbons with highly heated air, churning and kneading the mixture by changing the shape, direction and rate of flow thereof, by

varying the shape and dimensions of successive sections of the passages conducting the mixture, progressively raising the tempera-1 ture of the mixture by uniformly heating predetermined sections of said conducting passages, the heat being applied at successively-increasing temperatures, the passages and heat applied being so proportioned and adjusted that the final temperature of the mixture is above the boiling points of-the fuel constituents and below the temperature of automatic ignition, thereby producing a mixture having the properties of a superheated, fixed dry gas for delivery to the heat or power unit,- Z

4. The method of preparing an explosive mixture for combustion in heat and power units which consists in charging a moving column of highly heated air with liquid fuel spray, then contracting the column and increasing the rate of flow of the mixture, then churning the mixture while applying heat to further atomize the fuel particles, then kneading the mixture by'alternately expanding and contracting the column, the column being flattened or sheeted and heated on both sides during eachexpanding stage, the heating temperatures at succeeding stages being increased progressively whereby the temperature of the mixture is raised progressively and the mixtureconverted into a superheated, homogeneous, dry gas, the final temperature of which is sufiiciently high to maintain the mixture in a dry gaseous state during and after delivery to the heat or power unit.

5. The method of preparing an explosive mixture for combustion in heat and power units which consists in charging a moving spray,

' column of highly heated air with liquid fuel to further atomize the fuel particles, then kneading the 'mixture by alternately expending and contracting the column, while applying heat at the alternate stages of expansion, the heating temperatures at succeeding stages increasing progressively until the final temperature is sufficiently high to 'raise the temperature of the mixture above the highest boiling point of the liquid fuel,

whereby the mixture is converted into and charging a moving column of highly heated air with liquid fuel spray, then churning" the mixture while applying heat to the column, then kneading the column of mixture by alternately sheeting and squeezing or con tracti'ng the same. heat being applied! on both sides of the sheet at each sheeting stage,

. the heating temperature at each succeeding stage being higher than the preceding one, whereby the, mixture is converted into asuperheated, homogeneous, dry gas, adapted for complete and substantially instantaneous combustion;

7 The method ofpreparing an explosive mixture for internal combustion engines or combustion chambers which consists in charging a moving column of highly heated air withliquid fuel spray, then churning the mixture while applying heat to the column, then kneading the column of mixture by alternately expanding, sheeting and squeezing or contracting the'same, heat being applied on both sidesof the sheet at each sheeting stage, the heating temperature at each succeeding stage being higher. than the preceding one, whereby the mixture is con verted into a' superheated, homogeneous, dry gas. adapted for complete and substanti ally instantaneous combustion,

8. The method of preparing an explosive mixture for internal combustion engines or combustion chambers which consists in charging a moving column of highly heated air with liquid fuel spray. then churning the mixture while applying heat to the column, then kneading the column of mixture by alternately expanding, sheeting and squeezing or contracting the same, while raising the tem erature of the mixture progressively by applying heat 'at predetermined intervals, the heating temperature at each succeeding stage being higher than the preceding one,

whereby the mixture is converted into a superheated, homogeneous, dry gas, adapted for complete and substantially instantaneous combustion. I

9. Themethod'of preparing an explosive mixture for combustion in heat and power units which. consists in charging a moving or" power unit.

column of highly heated air with liquid fuel spray, expanding the mixture-stream while adding thereto highly heated air, then metering the flow, then churning the mix ture while applying heat, then kneading themixture by alternately expanding, contracting and sheeting or flattening the stream while applying heat at intervals to raise the temperature of the mixture progres sively, the heat being i applied while the column is flattened, the successive temperatures increasing until the final temperature is sufficiently high to convert the mixture into and maintain it in a dry gaseous state during and after delivery to the heat or power unit. v

10-. Themmethodof preparing an explosive mixture for combustion heat and power units, which consists in charging a moving stream of highly heated air with liquid fuel spray, metering the flow, mechanieally brealn'ng up and diffusing the mixture while applying heat, thereby producing vapor and wet gas, then highly heatingthe mixture at predetermined successive stages to, progressively raise the temperature of the mixture above the boiling points of the liquid fuels, whereby a homogeneous dry gaseous mixture in a superheated state is produced, adapted to maintainitself as such during and after delivery to the-heat 11. The method of preparing an explosive mixture for internal combustion engines or combustion chambers which consists in charging highly heated moving air with liquid fuel spray, increasing the speed temporarily by reducing the cross-section of the column by a venturi, then churning the mixture while applying heat, then sheeting the mixture column and heating it on both sides, restoring the column to cylindricalform and again increasing the speed by reducing the cross-section by a venturi, again sheeting and heating on both sides, then restoring to cylindrical form, the heating temperature at each succeeding heating stage being higher than the preceding one, whereby the temperature of the mixture is raised progressively to produce a su erheated, homo eneous, dry gas adapted to remain as such during and after introdue tion into the engine or, combustion chamber.

12. The method of producing a dry gaseous explosive mixture for internal combustion engines or combustion chambers which consists in charging a moving column of highly heated air with. liquid fuel spray. passing it through a metering opening adapted to maintain the column of mixture central and substantially circular in cross-' ther broken up and more intimately mixed an diffus d with the air, then sheeting the column in the presence of heat onboth sides ofthe sheet, theh'eating temperature being higher than that applied during said churnin J action, then restoring the column to cylin rical form and temporarily increasiugthe rate of flow, again sheeting the col- 1mm of mixture and applying heat on both sides of the sheet, the heating temperature being higher than that'applied duringthe previous sheeting of the mixture, whereby theliquid fuel 0 thev mixture, after passmg through. successive stages of mist, fog and vapor is onverted into a dry gas adapted to form with the air .a dry, superheated homogeneous explosive mixture for use in engine cylinders. or combustion chambers. 13. The method of. preparing an explosive mixture for internal combustion engines which consists in charging highly heated movingair with liquid fuel spra increasing the speedtemporarily by re ucing the -cross sect1on of the column by a venturi churning the mixture while applyin heat, then sheetingthe mixture columnan heating it on both sides, restoring the .col-

to-cylindnical form. and again inereasing the speed by reducing the crossesection by a venturi, agamsheeting and heating on both sides, then restoring to cylindrical form, the heating temperature at 'each, 'succeeding heating stage being higherthan the preceding one, whereby the temperature .of

the.mixture. is raised progressively to producea. superheated, homogeneous dry gas, hefinaitemperatune of. which is sufliciently highto-maantainthe mixture ma dry gascousstate throughout and at thecompletion of theintake strokeof the engine whereby all thexheatsuperinduced' by the compression strokemaybe addedtothe mixture to raise the temperature thereof.

eons explosive mixture for internalcombusiouengines which consists in charging a' ILQVlllg columnofhighly heated air with liquid fuel spray, passing it through a ,metermgr opening adapted to maintain the of mixture central and substantially c rcular. in cnqssssection, then subjectingthe column. to a. churning action while applymg heat, whereby the fuel particles in said columnare further. brokenup and more intimately mixed and. diffused with the air. them-sheeting the column in the presence of beaten liqt sidesof the sheet-the heating.

temperature, higherthan that appliedduring said dmrning action, then. restoring the column to, cylindrical form and temporar ly increasiugthe rate of flow, again sheeting the colnmnof mixture and apply mg; heat. on both sides, the last mentioned heatlngtemperature being. higher than th'at applied during the previous sheeting of the wh r y; h mp r ture ofthe mixture is raised progressively to produce a dry gaseous superheated explosive m1xture for use in the engine cylinders, the final temperature thereof being sufliciently hlgh to maintain the mixture in la dry gaseous state throughout and at the completion of the intake stroke of the engine whereby all the heat superinduced by the compression stroke may be added to the mixture to raise the temperature thereof,

15. The method of preparing an explosive mixture for internal combustion engmes or the like which consists in sprayingv liquid .verted into a superheated, homogeneous,

dry gas adapted to maintain itself as such during and after introduction into the engine and capable of complete and substantially'instantaneous combustion; v

, 16. The method of operating an\ internal combustion engine which comprises int-ro-' ducin'g into the cylinder of the engine on the intake stroke, a highly heated homogeneous,

gaseous mixture of .hydroharbon and Hair having a temperature above the' boiling points of the fuel constituents and sufficiently high for the mixture to have the properties 'oia fixed dry gas, then compressing it in the cylinder, whereby the heat of compression is utilized in superheah ing the mixture and raising its temperature to a point just below the point of automatic ignition, the resulting mixture being of uni- 4 form density and temperature throughout 14. The method of producing a dry gaschurning the mixture while adding heat,

then kneading the mixture by alternately varying the shape of the mixture column and rate of flow and simultaneously, .alternately and progressively heating the same,

thereby raising the temperature of the mixture stepby step until it is above the boiling points of the fuel constituents and pro-iducing' a highly heated mixture having the properties of a homogeneous, fixed, dry gas,

then introducing it into the engine cylinder 1' and compressing it, the mixture remaining idrv x nd fixed, whereby it is superheated in the cylinder and its temperature is raised to a .pointust below the temperature of auto inatic ignition, the resulting mixture being I substantially of uniform density and temperature throughout then firing it at or near the point of greatest compression.

l8. The method of operating an internal combustion engine which comprises mixing predetermined quantities of highly heated air and liquid fuel hydrocarbons, in the form of spray, mechanically breaking up the spray particles and mixing them with the air while applying heat, kneading the til it is above the boiling points of the fuel constituents, and producing a highly heated mixture having the properties of a homoge: neous, fixed, dry gas, then introducing it into the engine cylinder without substantial fall of temperature and compressing it, whereby the mixture is superheated in the cylinder and its temperature is raised to a point just below the temperature of automatic ignition, the resulting mixture being substantially of uniform density and temperature throughout, the mixture being then ignited at or near the point of greatest compression.

19 The method of operating an internal combustion engine which comprises intro-. ducing into the cylinder of the engine on the intake stroke, a highly heated homogeneous, fixed dry, gaseous mixture of air and hydrocarbons, prepared automatically externally of the engine by spraying hydrocarbons into highly heated air in predetermined proportions according to the throttle open ing and speed. of the engine, mixing therewith an additional predetermined amount of highly heated air, mechanically churning the mixture While applying heat, then kneading the mixture by alternately flattening and varying the flow of the column,

simultaneously raising the temperature -of the mixture step by step, by applying heat at progressively increasing temperatures when the column is flattened. thereby progressively raising the temperature of the mixture until it is above the boiling points of the fuel constituents, then compressing it in the cylinder, the temperature qfthe mixture being thereby further increased and the mixture superheated, to a temperature just, below the temperature of automatic ignition, the mixture being of substantially uniform vdensity throughout, then firing it at or near the point of greatestcompression.

20. The method of operating an internal combustion engine which comprises automatically inj ectinga predetermined amount of hydrocarbon fuels into a predetermined amount of highly heated air,'mixing there with a predetermined additional amount of highly heated air, charged with a; lesser amount of hydrocarbon fuels, churning the mixture while applying heat, kneading the mixture by alternately speeding up and flattening' the column and progressively heating it when the column is flattened to raise the temperature of the mixture step by step,-

/until it is above the boiling points of the fuel constituents, thereby producing a highly heated, homogeneous, mixture having the properties of a fixed, dry gas, then introduci'ng the mixture into and compressing it in the cylinder of the engine, whereby it is superheated and its temperature is raised to a point slightly below the temperature of automatic ignition, the mixture being substantially of uniform density throughout, adaptingit when ignited to give instantaneous flame spread with complete combustion,

then igniting it at or near the point of greatest 7 compression.

"then introducing itinto the cylinder, the

mixture remaining dry and fixed, then compressing, it and thereby superheating the mixture and raising its temperature to a point slightly below the temperature of automatic ignition, the mixture being substantially of uniform density throughout, whereby it is adapted when ignited to give instantaneous flame spread with complete combustion, then firing it substantially at the point of greatest compression.

22."l he method of operating an internal combustion engine by introducing into the cylinder thereof a superheated, homogeneous, fixed, dry, explosive, gaseous mixture I consisting of 15 to '70 parts air to 1 part hydrocarbon fuel vapor, the temperature of which is above the boiling points of the fuel constituents and when introduced into ing the mixture by mixing therewith addi' tional highly heated air to raise the pro portions 'to 15 to T0 parts airto 1 part fu'el' vapor, churning the mixture thus formed while applying heat, then kneading 'the cylinder is such that upon compression it by alternately speeding .up and flattening the column and simultaneously applying heat when the column is flattened, in a man-' ner to progressively raise the temperature of the mixture step by step until it is above the boiling points of the'fuel constituents, thereby producing a superheated, homogeneous, explosive mixture, having the properties of a fixed gas at a temperature slightly below its temperature of automatic ignition, thetemperature and properties of the mixture being such that any loss of heat upon entering the cylinder is adapted to be restored and the mixture again superheated by compression therein, then introducing it into the cylinder and compressing it, then firing it at or near the point of greatest compression, whereby-the mixture being of uniform density and temperature throughout,

the temperature of automatic ignition, then.

compressing it in the cylinder, the mixture being substantially of uniform density throughout whereby any loss of heat by introduction into the cylinder is restored andthe mixture again superheated to a temperature just below the temperature of automati'c ignition, thenfiring it at or near the point of greatest compression.

25. The method of operating aninternal combustion engine which comprises-delivering to the combustion chamber thereof an explosive mixture of air andhydrocarbons having the properties of a homogeneous, fixed, dry, gas, and having a temperature above the boiling points of the fuel constituents and below the temperature,

of automatic ignition, for the mixture, then admitting'it to the cylinder on the intake stroke, at which a slight drop in temperature may occur but without condensation or stratifi cation, then compressing it, thereby superheating it in the'cylinder and raising the temperature to a point just below the temperature of automatic ignition, then.igniting it, substantially at the point of great- I est compression, whereby, the mixture being substantially of uniform density throughout, instantaneous flame spread with complete combustion are obtained.

26. The method-of operating an internal combustion-engine which comprises preparing, exteriorly of the combustion chamber a mixture of air and hydrocarbon temperature is below the temperature of automatic ignition, therrfiring it substantially at the point of greatest compression.

27 'The method of operatin liquid hydrocarbons and air' transformed into a superheated, homogeneous mixture having the properties of a fixed gas and a temperature above the boiling points of the fuel constituents but below the temperature of automatic ignition, which is then introduced into the cylinder of the engine and compressed, whereby the mixture, being substantially of, uniform density throughout is adapted to being superheated to a temperature just below the temperature of automatic ignition, then firing it at or. near the point of greatest compression.

28. The method of .operating internal combustion'engines with hydrocarbons and air transformed into a homogeneous-mixture having the properties of a fixed dry gas, the temperature of which is above the boiling points of the fuel constituents and below the temperature of automatic ignition, which when introduced into the cylinder of the engine and compressed, is adapted to be of substantially uniform density throughout and superheated to a temperature just below the temperature of automatic ignition and whichwhen fired at or near the point of greatest compression is adapted for substam tially instantaneous and eb'mplete combusition, wherebylthe engine cylinder is utilized as a superheater for the mixture and the engme is operated by a single substantially'im stantaneous explosion at ornear the dead center. 29. The method of operating internal combustion engines with pared 'exteriorly of the engine cylinder by mlxing spray of liquid fuel hydrocarbons with highly heated air, then churning andkneading the mixture column while progressively heating the same, the mixture, after passing through successive stages .of mist,

fog and invisible vapor as its temperature is raised step by step, being transformed;

into the homogeneous mixture having the properties of a drg,'fixed gas, the temperature of which is a the. fuel constituents, then introducing it into the engine cylinder and compressing it, whereby it is superheated and its temperature 111118611" to a point-just below the temperature of automatic ignition,-.then-firing internal combustionengines with fuel mixtures of a superheated,' homogeneous, dry, gaseous .mixture, .pre-' ove the boiling points of a it, substantially at the point of greatest compres'sion', the Cylinder being utilized ias a superheater and explosion chamber.

30. The method of operating an internal combustionpngine which comprises introducing into the cylinder of the engine on the intake stroke, a highly heated, homogeneous, fixed, dry, gaseous mixture of hyperheated and the temperature of the mix-,

drocarbons and air, the temperature of which is above the boiling points of the fuel constituents, then compressing it, the heat of compression being utilized in superheating the mixture and raising its temperature to a point just below the temperature of automatic ignition,the mixture being of uniform density and temperature throughout, then firing it substantially at the point of greatest compression, the mixture being adapted for substantially instantaneous flame spread and complete combustion, the cylinder thereby being utilized as asuperheater and explosion chamber.

31. The.method of operating an internal combustion engine which comprises spraying hydrocarbon fuel into highly heated air, churning the mixture while adding heat,

then kneading the mixture by -vary1ng the shape of sections of passage between the carburetor and the inlet to the cylinder, by change of direction of flow, and by change of rate of-flow, while progressively heating the mixture at succeeding sections, thereby raising the temperature step by step. and

producing ahighly heated, homogeneousexplosive mixture having the properties of a fixed, dry, gas, the temperature of WhlCh is above the boiling points of the fuel constituents and below the temperature of auto- -matic ignition, then introducing it into the 40 7 engine cylinder, the gas remaining fixed and dry, then compressing it, whereby 1t-1s suture is raised to a point just below the temperature of automatic ignition, the mixture being then ignited at or near the point of greatest compression, thereby producing 1nstantaneous flame spread and complete combustion. I

32. The method of operating an internal 'combustion engine which comprises spraying hydrocarbon fuel into highly heated air, churning it in a heated passage, then kneading the mixture by varying the shape of succeeding sections of the passage between the carbureter or metering device and the inlet to the cylinder of the engine and by change ofdirection of flow and change of rate offlow, while progressively heating the mixture as it passes through certain sec tions, the temperature of which step up in succession, thereby raising thetemperature step by step until thetemperature of the mixture is above the boiling point of the fuel constituents, thereby producing a highly heated homogeneous mixture having ducingit into the engine cylinder, the gas remaining fixed and dry, then compressing .it, whereby it is superheated and the temperature of the mixture is raised-to a point ust below the temperature of automatic ignition, the mixture then being ignited at or near the point of-greatest compression,

the properties of a fixed, dry gas, then introthe density and temperature of the mixture being substantially uniform throughout,

thereby giving a single substantially instantaneous explosion wlth complete combustion.

- 3.3. The method of operating an internalcombustion engine with predetermined proportions .of hydrocarbons'and air, trans-- .duced into the cylinder of the engine and compressed, will remain dry and have the molecular and chemical properties of a homogeneous dry explosive gas-mixture of uniform density throughout, its temperature being raised to a point just below the temperature of automatic ignition, then firing it, at or near the point of reatest compression, ,Whereby substantial y instantaneous inflammation and complete combustion are obtained at or near dead center.

34. The method of operating an internal combustion engine which conslsts in transforming predetermined proportionsof hydrocarbons and air, by passing them through a mixer and conduits, suitably proportioned .as to shape, area and length and heated at predetermined points, at progressively increasing temperatures, into a mixture hav- -inga temperature above the boiling points of the fuel constituents and havlng the molecular and chemical properties of a homogeneous, fixed, dry gas mixture, capable of substantially instantaneous inflammation and complete combustion when introduced into the cylinder and compressed,

then introducingit into the. cylinder and compressing it, then firing it at or near the point of greatest compression, whereby the engine is operated by a single, substantially instantaneous explosion at or near dead center.

35. The method of operating an internal combustion engine with predetermined proportions of hydrocarbons and air transformed into a superheated mixture havmg the properties of a fixed dry gas, by properly proportioning the passage, throu h which the mixture is conducted, in, t metering and heating. means, and the coming and applying mixture passages, as to shape, cross-section thickness and' length, with heat applied progressively. at increasingtemperatures in the mixture, until the temperature of the mixture is above the boiling points of the fuel constituents, and which when introduced into the cylinder of the en "e and 10 compressed will remain dry and xed, re-

taining the molecular and chemical properties of a homogeneous dry explosive gas mixture of uniform density throughout, its temperature being raised to a point just below the temperature of automatic ignition, then firing it, at or near the point of greatest compression, whereby substantially instantaneous inflammation and complete combustion are obtained.

- WILLIAM P. DEPPE. 

